As one of only two adult residential colleges in England, Fircroft College provides a safe and welcoming environment for learners from the West Midlands by offering wraparound support and care. The college engages with learners who are furthest from the labour market, and who often have multiple and complex needs.  

Fircroft was founded in 1909 by George Cadbury Jnr, who transformed his family home into a place of learning. The Cadbury family have long standing ties with Bournville and wider Birmingham, giving our college a strong social mission and historical connections to its local area.  

The college offers a wide range of short and longer courses that include personal and social development, professional development, courses for people in work and those seeking work, courses about community and social justice, and Functional Skills.  

We are known for providing a caring environment for people facing multiple barriers to learning and employment, such as learning difficulties, mild disabilities, or mental health conditions. For many, personal or social skills are often barriers to success. At Fircoft, we tackle this by giving learners the confidence and freedom to express their opinions without judgement. Other learners then have the opportunity to discuss and learn from each other, fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning.  

We have also developed several innovative delivery projects, such as our Free Thinking provision, a course for people from new communities who have experienced extreme challenges such as modern slavery, trafficking or violence. Attending the college helps learners to reflect on their life and their possible next steps.